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Second Poet Laureate

Local poet Linda Rogers served a three-year term as the City of Victoria's second Poet Laureate from December 1, 2008 to November 30, 2011.

Montreal International Poetry Prize - Broadside Selection

Linda Rogers' poem The Grasshoppers' Silence has been selected by Eric Fischl, the renowned U.S. painter and sculptor, as the basis for a "broadside," or illustrated poem in the Montreal International Poetry Prize competition. The Grasshoppers' Silence is inspired by the true story of Rumana Monzur, who was tragically blinded in an attack by her husband in Bangladesh.

Linda Rogers was among four Greater Victoria poets to have a poem shortlisted for the inaugural not-for-profit $50,000 Montreal International Poetry Prize. Linda Rogers' poems The Earth Moves and Bright and The Grasshoppers' Silence were two of the 50 international poems that were shortlisted. For more information, visit: www.montrealprize.com

Accomplishments

During Linda Rogers' term she accomplished the following:

Continued much of the valuable work initiated by Carla Funk, the City's first Poet Laureate, such as the popular community event, Love Poetry and Chocolate, held close to Valentine's Day

Visited Greater Victoria District schools, local hospitals, as well as seniors care homes and centres to share the practice of poetry

Encouraged local media to feature poetry in their publications, and on television and radio

Developed local poetry campaigns, inviting Victoria residents to submit their poems for display in local libraries and the Community Arts Council

Advocated for poetry to become an integral part of fundraising events and other public occasions

Developed a poetry exchange linking Victoria poets with children and youth from other countries.

Select Past Events

Glass Half Full Poem and Plaque

Linda Rogers wrote an original poem titled the Glass Half Full, dedicated to a new public artwork by Tyler Hodgins of the same name. A plaque featuring the poem is on display next to the art piece at Harrison Yacht Pond in Holland Point Park.

April is National Poetry Month

To celebrate National Poetry Month in April, City of Victoria Poet Laureate Linda Rogers developed an inspiring line-up of activities planned to showcase poetry in the Capital City.

Storefront Poetry Displays

Starting April 1, local poets wrote poems about downtown businesses which were showcased in local window displays. Downtown businesses will also be encouraged to use the poems in their advertising.

A Book of Wedding Poems

Poetry written by Victoria school children celebrating the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton, was sent to the Prince and future Dutchess in time for their April wedding. The original poems were on display at the Greater Victoria Public Library.

Inaugural Celebration of Victoria Poetry Day

Local poets conducted poetry readings and made chalk sidewalk poems to celebrate Poetry Day at a local café.

Victoria Poetry Day at the Greater Victoria Public Library

This family friendly celebration included performances and children's poetry readings. Poems were on display in the shape of kites in the library courtyard.

National Poetry Month is a celebration of poetry, introduced in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets as a way to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States. It has been celebrated in Canada every April since 1999.

Poets for Peace

The community was invited to join Victoria Poet Laureate Linda Rogers and current and inaugural Vancouver Poet Laureates Brad Cran and George McWhirter, and Victoria's inaugural Poet Laureate Carla Funk, for an unprecedented Laureate Summit on November 13, 2010. Remembrance Day is a perfect time to remind people that poetry is a healing art. Both tears and laughter are medicine for the human spirit. The featured poet laureates read poems that reveal the ways in which they view their mandates. George McWhirter grew up in Belfast. Brad Cran has written a book about the Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, and Carla Funk comes from a culture that was discriminated against. Linda Rogers read poems about child soldiers, the peace loving Bonobo chimps of the Lower Congo, and a poem that counteracts teen bullying. (George Bowering was unable to attend.)

To celebrate the 2010 Winter Games and Valentines Day, the community was invited to an afternoon of poetry and song on February 13, 2010 at City Hall. The event featured Victoria's Poet Laureate Linda Rogers and poets Susan Stenson, John Barton, Tim Lilburn, poet/songwriters Janet Rogers and Rick van Krugel, singer/songwriter Ivan Doroschuk, and special guest artist Dale Roberts (Mailarta). Those who had mailed in a Valentines poem had it displayed or read by Mailarta at the event. Poems and artwork from students in South Africa were also featured. Participants were treated to complimentary Chocolates by Bernard Callebaut after the poetry readings.

Linda Rogers is a poet, novelist, teacher and journalist who believes that celebration - the ritual integration of art, dance, music, and the spoken word - is essential to a community. Since most of her antecedents have been writers, lawyers or theologians, language is her natural medium.

The mother of three and grandmother of four, Linda is fascinated by the lives of young people and knows that a healthy world depends on happy children. Linda is married to mandolinist Rick van Krugel and sings with the Victoria Soul Gospel Choir. Her writing has been translated into many languages.